If you're interested in news updates about members throughout the year, check the WHNPA blog for late-breaking updates, and the Member News section of this site. Book news and other project based publications also appear here as available. Grant information is posted below and on the Grants page. We are archiving the information on the site, so there will be a permalink for your reference. Current announcements are also publshed in our newsletter, The Report.
Members, if you have information to share with your colleagues, please contact us so we can publish your news.
2010
For information about the 2010 Eyes of History Contest Entry requirements, rules, and deadlines, please visit the CONTEST INFO page. Contest judging takes place Feb 13 - 14, 2010
COVERING THE EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI
This slideshow offers just a small sampling of the remarkable coverage of the Haitian earthquake and its aftermath by WHNPA members. Our thanks to David Gilkey, NPR; Gerald Herbert, AP; John Poole, NPR; and Jewel Samad, Agence France Presse, for sharing these extraordinary images.
We will continue to add to the Haiti gallery as more photographs become available.
View these images inline, stepping through the sequence automatically, or manually using the numbers, the plus sign, or the right arrow key. If you prefer, you can open a new window and view the Flash slideshow with this link:VIEW SLIDESHOW
Visit the 2009 contest to see winning entries in the still photography, video, editing, and new media categories.
2009 WHNPA STILL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED; BRUCE AND OMMANNEY NAMED TOP WINNERS
Nation’s Leading Photojournalists Compete for Top Industry Awards
(WASHINGTON, D.C. – Feb. 22, 2009) – The White House News Photographers Association announced that Washington
Post photographer Andrea Bruce has been named “Photographer of the Year” and Charles Ommanney, Getty Images for
Newsweek won “Political Photo of the Year” in the 2009 “The Eyes of History™” contest judging at the National Geographic
Society in Washington.
Bruce has won the Photographer of the Year Award four times (2003, 2005, 2006 and 2009) and has worked for The
Washington Post since 2001. Bruce received word of her win while on assignment in Iraq. Andrea said,“ It means a lot to me
right now. At a time when all of the publications are pulling their people out of Iraq, Michael [Washington Post Assistant
Managing Editor for Photography Michel du Cille] and the editors are committed to coverage of these important stories.”
The Political Photo of the Year was awarded to Charles Ommanney, Getty Images for Newsweek, for his photograph of
Barack Obama, right before coming out of the Capitol to take the oath of office to become the 44th President of the United
States. Ommanney said on hearing the news of his win, “Wow, I am blown-away—what an easy subject [referring to President
Obama].”
“The WHNPA “Eyes of History™” contest winners are always the best images of domestic and international news throughout
the year, but every four years in an election year and an Olympic competition year, the contest is spectacular, “ said WHNPA
president, Dennis Brack. “Of course, the winning entries are the best of the best of President Barack Obama’s historic
presidential victory.”
The judges for the 2008 ‘The Eyes of History™’ stills competition were: Jeanie Adams-Smith, professor in the
photojournalism department, Western Kentucky, Scott Strazzante, The Chicago Tribune, and Ami Vitale, contract
photographer for National Geographic Adventure.
The top winners of the still, television and New Media contests will be honored at the annual “Eyes of History” Gala on May
30, 2009, at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington. The black-tie event celebrates all the winning photojournalists and the President of
the United States. Nearly 1,000 guests, including government dignitaries and industry celebrities, attend.
The White House News Photographers Association is an 88-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the
efforts of Washington’s professional photojournalists. The WHNPA aims to provide professional and educational outreach to
its members and the community through scholarships, programming, an annual competition and a celebration of the industry at
the annual “Eyes of History™” gala.
The television competition and the New Media contest were also judged over the weekend at National Geographic Channel
headquarters in Washington. For more information please contact Dennis Brack at dennis@dennisbrack.com (703-622-5949)
or business director Heidi Elswick at heidi@whnpa.org (301-606-8251). For further information about ‘The Eyes of History™’
and to view the winning images and videos, visit the WHNPA website at www.whnpa.org.
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The WHNPA and “The Eyes of History™” are sponsored in part by Nikon, Tiffen/Domke, Microsoft, PNY, and Continental Airlines.
2009 WHNPA TELEVISION AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED; BAKER AND McKENNA NAMED TOP WINNERS
Nation’s Leading Photojournalists Compete for Top Industry Awards
(WASHINGTON, D.C. – Feb. 22, 2009) – The White House News Photographers Association announced Sunday that Dai
Baker, ITN, has been awarded “Photographer of the Year” for 2008 in the “Eyes of History™” video contest. Bill McKenna,
BBC World News America, has been named video “Editor of the Year.”
Dai Baker has worked for Independent television News for 15 years and this is the 3rd time (2005, 2006, 2009) that he has won the top award. In the 2009 competition Baker won three first place in 3 categories for stories titled: “The Detroit Auto Show,”
Texas Wind Far,” and “Florida Republicans.” “The consistency and the colors he brought to landscape and interior shoots
stood out,” said contest judge Steve Flood. “His light-management brought a natural but compelling look to his video." Baker,
reached as he deplaned from London said, “I am thrilled and delighted to receive this award again. What an honor.”
The White House News Photographers Association “Editor of the Year” is Bill McKenna of the BBC World News America.
He has been in broadcast for 30 years, starting as a freelancer at the BBC in 1997 before becoming a staffer for BBC World
News America in January 2008. His first place award was titled “Small Town America.” “Oh Wow!” Bill said upon getting
the news of his win, “I can’t believe it, what an honor! But I couldn’t have done it without my colleagues at the BBC.”
“ Our members have traveled with the candidates for the entire year and the entries tell the stories of this history making
election. The results were spectacular in all categories,” said Dennis Brack, President of the White House News Photographers
Association.
The judges for the television contest were: Kristen Bergeron, KTVT-TV in Dallas/Fort Worth; Steve Flood, WXIA-TV in
Atlanta; Kevin Ridley, WCNC-TV in Charlotte; Sarah Montgomery, WKYC-TV in Cleveland; Stephanie Ottjepka, WTVT-TV
in Tampa; and Wade Steiner, KUSA-TV in Denver.
The top winners of the still, television and New Media contests will be honored at the annual “Eyes of History” Gala on May
30, 2009, at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington. The black-tie event celebrates all the winning photojournalists and the President of
the United States. Nearly 1,000 guests, including government dignitaries and industry celebrities, attend.
The still photography and New Media competition were also held at the National Geographic Society over the weekend
The White House News Photographers Association is an 88-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the
efforts of Washington’s professional photojournalists. The WHNPA aims to provide professional and educational outreach to
its members and the community through scholarships, programming, an annual competition and a celebration of the industry at
the annual “Eyes of History™” gala.
For more information please contact Dennis Brack at dennis@dennisbrack.com (703-622-5949) or business director Heidi
Elswick at heidi@whnpa.org (301-606-8251). For further information about ‘The Eyes of History™’ and to view the winning
images and videos, visit the WHNPA website at www.whnpa.org.
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The WHNPA and “The Eyes of History™” are sponsored in part by Nikon, Tiffen/Domke, Microsoft, PNY, and Continental Airlines.
2009 WHITE HOUSE NEWS PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION NEW MEDIA AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Nation’s Leading Photojournalists Compete for Top Industry Awards
(WASHINGTON, D.C. – Feb. 22, 2009) – The White House News Photographers Association announced the winners of the
New Media categories in the annual “The Eyes of History™” competition.
Megan Rossman of washingtonpost.com won first place in the Best Use of Photography & Audio (natural sound) category. The
story is seen at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/galleries/mothersrisk/index.html.
Andrea Rane, Jessica Wanke,Coburn Dukehart, and Jack Zahora of National Public Radio won first place in The Best Use of Photography and Audio Category with their entry on crafting China’s future gymnastics champions. The entry is seen at:
http://www.npr.org/multimedia/2008/07/china_gymnastics/gallery/index.html.
Nancy Donaldson, Nelson Hsu, Sarah Sampsel Hsu, Carol Guzy of washingtonpost.com won in the Best Multimedia Package
award for a five part series on how childhood obesity is threatening a generation. The story is seen at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/health/childhoodobesity/index.html.
Whitney Shefte, Nelson Hsu, and Kat-Downs of washingtonpost.com won in the Best Multimedia Single category for their interactive presentation of the new Washington Nationals stadium. The entry can be seen at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/specials/natspark/index.html
“This is the second year for New Media competition, said White House News Photographers Association president Dennis
Brack. “This new portion of the WHNPA “Eyes of History™” contest reflects the constantly evolving ways that the news
media delivers content to the world. The quality of this year’s entries and, indeed the winning entries, illustrate the success of
these new ways to communicate and tell stories.”
The judges for the New Media competition were: Patrick Davidson, Associate Professor of Visual Communication and
Documentary Projects for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of North Carolina; Seth Gitner,
multimedia editor at The Roanoke Times; and Regina McCombs, The Poynter Institute.
The top winners of the still, television and New Media contests will be honored at the annual “Eyes of History” Gala on May
30, 2009, at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington. The black-tie event celebrates all the winning photojournalists and the President of
the United States. Nearly 1,000 guests, including government dignitaries and industry celebrities, attend.
The still photography and New Media competition were also held at the National Geographic Society over the weekend
The White House News Photographers Association is an 88-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the
efforts of Washington’s professional photojournalists. The WHNPA aims to provide professional and educational outreach to
its members and the community through scholarships, programming, an annual competition and a celebration of the industry at
the annual “Eyes of History™” gala.
For more information please contact Dennis Brack at dennis@dennisbrack.com (703-622-5949) or business director Heidi
Elswick at heidi@whnpa.org (301-606-8251). For further information about ‘The Eyes of History™’ and to view the winning
images and videos, visit the WHNPA website at www.whnpa.org.
###
The WHNPA and “The Eyes of History™” are sponsored in part by Nikon, Tiffen/Domke, Microsoft, PNY, and Continental Airlines.
WHNPA Announces Education Grant Winner: Mary Calvert of The Washington Times
(WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 10, 2009) – Mary Calvert, staff photographer for The Washington Times, has been chosen as
the recipient of the White House News Photographers Association 2008 Project Grant. The grant, recently increased to
$10,000, with a matching amount from PNY Technologies Inc. will fund "Forgotten Victims: Rape as a Tool of War", which
Calvert plans to produce in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has been engulfed in on-again-off-again warfare for
years.
Recent fighting in the eastern Congo has sparked fears of a civil war in the country - known as Zaire for several decades and
originally named the Belgian Congo.
The Second Congo War that began in 1998 is sometimes referred to as the "African World War" and despite the 2003 peace
accords, fighting continues in eastern Congo - where the prevalence and intensity of rape and other sexual violence has been
described as the worst in the world. The war is the world's deadliest conflict since the Second World War with more than five
million people killed.
"Ugly topic, but a story that needs to be told," said WHNPA education committee chairman Leighton Mark in announcing the
award. "Not only do we wish Mary the best of luck with her project but hope she stays safe. The Congo has been a nasty place
for a long time. We know she'll return with stellar photos."
Tony Gomez, vice president, sales and marketing, at PNY Technologies adds, “Journalists are truth seekers and at times the
truth reveals atrocities. These stories need to be told and someone needs to have the courage to uncover them and share the
grim reality with the world. Mary shines a light on the dark side of war in Africa and thru her lens the plight of the African
people comes into focus. We honor Mary for her work and dedication to her craft.”
In commenting about the grant award White House News Photographers president Dennis Brack said, “The WHNPA grants
are our way of enabling our members to take on projects that as journalists they feel they need to do. As is evident in Mary
Calvert's award subject, these are not vacations to wonderful places. They are for serious work, which will produce important
stories. The matching grant from PNY, gives the award winner the time and resources needed to make their project a successful
journalistic achievement.”
For more information please contact Dennis Brack at dennis@dennisbrack.com (703-622-5949) or executive director Heidi
Elswick at heidi at whnpa dot org (301-606-8251). For further information about ‘The Eyes of History™’ and to view images of
Mary’s work visit the website at www.whnpa.org.
Mary's project grant photos were published in The Washington Times titled Congo's Shame: Rape used as a tool of war. Read the article and download the 8 page Special Section (PDF)
IPC 2009 Professional Photographer Leadership Awards - Mary CALVERT
IPC Presents 2009 Professional Photographer Leadership Awards at UN Luncheon
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, May 27, 2009 – The International Photographic Council (IPC), a non-governmental organization (NGO) of the United Nations, presented its 2009 IPC Professional Photographer Leadership Awards during the 11th annual IPC International Professional Photographers Month Luncheon, held at the United Nations in New York City on May 7. IPC president James Chung hosted the event and IPC board member and vice president John Segall served as luncheon chair. The awards, presented by IPC each May, are selected by five professional photography organizations: Advertising Photographers of America (APA); American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP); Professional Photographers of America (PPA); Professional School Photographers Association International (PSPA); and White House News Photographers Association (WHNPA). Each organization selects one member who best represents the group’s criteria and ideals. The 2009 IPC Professional Photographer Leadership Award recipients are: Advertising Photographers of America (APA): Will Mosgrove American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP): Richard Anderson Professional Photographers of America (PPA): Jack Reznicki Professional School Photographers Association International (PSPA): Joe Mark, White House News Photographers Association (WHNPA): Mary Calvert.
Accepting their awards, honorees shared life and career lessons learned, described the power and impact of giving back to their communities through photography, and expressed gratitude to an industry that has shared their passion. IPC President James Chung recognized IPC member Manny Parks, from Pro Image Photo, for opening doors to IPC Cuba through photography, and IPC member Tor Weatherstone of Norway, for organizing the Nordic IPC Group. He also presented service awards to two Cygnus Business Media employees, Kathy Magrane and Diane Berkenfeld, for their support of IPC.
On behalf of IPC, he expressed gratitude to luncheon sponsors (Platinum level): Fujifilm, CKJ Media, Cygnus Business Media; and (Gold level) ASMP, Canon, and Sigma.
The International Photographic Council (IPC) is a multinational, non-profit, non-commercial organization—and a non-governmental organization (NGO) of the United Nations—composed of representatives from every major sector of the photographic industry. Founded in 1974, the IPC is dedicated to increasing worldwide recognition of photography as a universal means of communication through the adoption of the motto “Peace through Understanding, Understanding through Photography, the Universal Language.” Additional information may be obtained by visiting www.ipc-un-ngo.org.
Pete Souza has extensively documented Senator Barack Obama's rise to political stardom with exclusive photographs beginning with his first day in the U.S. Senate. He has accompanied the Senator to seven countries including Kenya, South Africa, and Russia. Souza had unprecedented access to photograph private and political moments as senator and presidential candidate Obama went about his duties. His photographs of Obama have won national photojournalism awards for the past three years . Read more about The Rise of Barack Obama.
Visit the WHNPA BOOKS page for more information on members' publications.
IPC Presents 2009 Professional Photographer Leadership Awards at UN Luncheon 
Pete Souza has extensively documented Senator Barack Obama's rise to political stardom with exclusive photographs beginning with his first day in the U.S. Senate. He has accompanied the Senator to seven countries including Kenya, South Africa, and Russia. Souza had unprecedented access to photograph private and political moments as senator and presidential candidate Obama went about his duties. His photographs of Obama have won national photojournalism awards for the past three years . 
